1
as in delay
an instance or period of being prevented from going about one's business
there'll be a holdback on production until the new machinery is fully installed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in obstacle
something that makes movement or progress difficult
the only holdback to starting the new job is my contractual commitment to my current position
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to hamper
to create difficulty for the work or activity of
the only thing holding them back from joining the swim team is lack of transportation
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to stifle
to refrain from openly showing or uttering
held back her tears until she was alone
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of holdback
Cori Sears,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Mar. 2026
If the house is not sold after 180 days, the company retains what remains of the 30% holdback.
—
Lew Sichelman,
Miami Herald,
26 Feb. 2026
Greg Dudek,
Hartford Courant,
28 June 2026
Johnson, the local guide, looked down and held back a laugh when CNN read aloud the language of the opinion, which came down the day before Juneteenth.
—
Danny Freeman,
CNN Money,
28 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for holdback
Noun
Add curtain holdbacks with playful animal details, or top your door hinges with decorative hinge caps for a knowing wink of whimsy.
—
Cori Sears,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Mar. 2026
If the house is not sold after 180 days, the company retains what remains of the 30% holdback.
—
Lew Sichelman,
Miami Herald,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
That time, Duran had to be held back by coaches after jawing with the fan.
—
Greg Dudek,
Hartford Courant,
28 June 2026
Johnson, the local guide, looked down and held back a laugh when CNN read aloud the language of the opinion, which came down the day before Juneteenth.
—
Danny Freeman,
CNN Money,
28 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for holdback
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holdback
Noun
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But the heat has led to cancellations and delays in several states.
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The city commission reached a major step forward on the project after months of delays and disagreements over the best way to replace the old City Hall, which was damaged beyond repair by the historic flooding of April 2023.
Noun
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But even Johnson is not immune to the bruising consequences of dealing with a president who critics say treats Congress as an obstacle, instead of an equal — frequently flexing his power through executive orders.
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Crews can drive directly into rivers or lakes without installing additional equipment, allowing the vehicle to continue moving even when water obstacles stand in the way.
Verb
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The decision severely hampered local planning for America’s 250th anniversary, disrupting history projects, museums and educational programs nationwide.
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Chwalińska took a medical timeout for the injury at the end of the game, and she was clearly hampered by it for the rest of the match.
Verb
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Cubans strolled along el Paseo del Prado promenade in the inky night, desperate to escape the stifling heat of their homes.
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The outages come as some areas are expected to experience severe weather and stifling heat again on Saturday.
Noun
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The wait for Taylor Swift to drop photos from her wedding to Travis Kelce is on.
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Next up is a mouthwatering quarterfinal against Naomi Osaka, a Wimbledon occasion that will hopefully be worth the wait.
Noun
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To directly address these technical, safety, and regulatory hurdles, the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) and the international energy technology firm Eni have established a new commercial engineering services company named RH3OVA.
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There are still some hurdles to get Trout to the game this year.
Verb
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Health care workers who impede these rituals for infection-control reasons often face hostility and violence; clinics have been attacked and burned down during this outbreak, furthering viral spread.
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These vehicles were blocking and impeding fire operations, and several were non-operational and required tow truck assistance for removal.
Verb
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Record-setting heat is suspected in 25 deaths from the Deep South to the Midwest to the East Coast, authorities said, with the temperature highs also suppressing some Fourth of July celebrations.
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When coated onto a polypropylene separator with graphene, the material formed a thin interfacial layer that readily absorbed electrolyte while suppressing polysulfide migration.
Cite this Entry
“Holdback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holdback. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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